Yummy: Entenmann’s Big Book of Baking Review

They had me at Chocolate Cake Donuts. Yes, I’ve been turning down dozens of book reviews pitched to me because my stack of books to read is just way too high right now. But when I got contacted about the Entenmann’s Big Book of Baking from Parragon Books, I just couldn’t pass it up.

Entenmann’s Big Book of Baking

This beautiful cookbook, edited by Entenmann’s Master Baker Kathleen Robbins, is being released tomorrow, September 27, 2011. I’ve had my review copy for over a week, and it’s been an exercise in restraint not to just start making every drool-worthy recipe in the book. I grew up with Entenmann’s products, and I have a special place in my heart for Entenmann’s Chocolate Frosted Donuts. I always gnaw the chocolate off the bottom of the donut first, where the donut sat to cool before the frosting had set. Then I eat the rest of it.

The Entenmann’s Big Book of Baking doesn’t tell me how to make my favorite childhood donuts, but there is a recipe for Chocolate Cake Donuts that I am simply dying to try. I’m going to need to buy whole milk solely for this purpose, but that’s fine by me. Oh, and a donut cutter. I’m sure it will be worth the investment.

Almost Homemade

The first section of the cookbook, though, is devoted to “almost homemade” recipes using Entenmann’s baked goods. As someone who loves to bake but often doesn’t have the time to whip stuff up completely from scratch, it’s nice to have a cheat sheet for making desserts that my friends will rave about when I bring them to parties. What are some of the almost homemade recipes I’ve got my eyes on?

I know that TJ will get a kick out of the S’more Party Cups, made with Entenmann’s Little Bite Brownies. I’m super intrigued by the Cookie Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe that calls for Entenmann’s Chocolate Chip Cookies. I’m not sure if the Easy Baklava technically counts as baklava if it’s made with Entenmann’s Sour Cream Loaf Cake instead of phyllo dough, but it looks worth trying anyways. And Cookie Brownies? Anything that calls for a package of chocolate chip cookies and a box of brownie mix sounds like a winner to me.

Update: The above picture is the result of my Cookie Brownie efforts. DELICIOUS.

Donuts, Danish & Puffs

Aside from the chocolate donuts I can’t wait to make, there are a few other things in the same chapter that are on my to-do list. Cream Eclairs? Yes please! I’ve never made pastry cream or choux pastry before, but there’s no time like the present for learning, right? I have to wonder if the Cinnamon Swirl Rolls will scratch the itch I have from not having a Cinnabon around anymore.

Crumb Cakes

They have an entire chapter devoted to crumb cakes. Personally, I feel like I could stop at the first page – Cinnamon Crumb Cake – and be a happy woman. But then I turn the page and see Cream Cheese Swirl Coffee Cake, and my mind is blown. There are also apricot, pumpkin, and blueberry varieties, for those of you who like fruit in your cake. (I generally don’t.)

Muffins

I have yet to find a chocolate chip muffin recipe that beats the chocolate chip muffins I get at the Price Chopper bakery, but I’m willing to give these Double Chocolate Chip Muffins a try. OMG – and Chocolate Marshmallow Muffins? How did I not see this one on my first read-through? You may want to try the Banana Muffins, Carrot Cake Muffins, Raspberry Crumble Muffins, and Spicy Apple Muffins – but I have my favorites.

Loaf Cakes

I’ll be honest – I was ready to leave this at a single sentence: I’m not interested in loaf cakes. But Chocolate Peanut Butter Loaf Cake? Come on. You should see the photo of this baby with the glaze on top… Oh look. They sent me an image I can share with you!

Brownies & Bars

Brownies are my absolute favorite baked good. This chapter is like nirvana for me. What to try first? Black & White Brownies, Double Chocolate Brownies, Chocolate Fudge Brownies, Nutty Granola Bars, Chocolate Peppermint Bars, Apple & Cinnamon Bars, Chocolate Oat Bars… I’m having thoughts now of making my own granola bars to send to school with TJ now instead of buying them for $3 a box.

Cookies

There’s a Peanut Butter Cookie recipe that includes rolled oats; I can’t see a downside to combining peanut butter cookies with oatmeal cookies. I hope the Midnight Cookies turn out soft. They have a recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies, but I don’t think I’ll ever forsake my favorite Toll House cookie recipe. I wonder if the Checkboard Cookies are as good as my mom’s recipe… they do certainly look as time-consuming. But I do love checkerboard cookies.

Pies

I don’t normally make pie because I’d rather have cake or brownies. And I’m terrible at making pie crust. Some of the recipes call for ready-made pie crust, but others include a recipe for homemade. The picture of this Simple Apple Pie looks really amazing though. I would totally use Granny Smith apples in this one. And I’d be willing to teach myself how to make pie crust for the Mississippi Mud Pie recipe. The Really Rich Chcoolate Tartlets look like they would make a great afterschool snack. There’s a plethora of fruit pies in here, too.

Indulgent Cakes & Desserts

I’ve never had Brazil nuts, but they look really good on the Chocolate Chiffon Tart. The picture of this Chocolate Fudge Cake may berak me of my Betty Crocker habit. My husband would probably kill for this Double Chocolate Mint Cake. I may have to attempt this Brownie Cheesecake, too. Never made cheesecake before.

Party Cakes

I may not ever make these myself, because I kind of suck at decorating, but I have a friend and a sister-in-law who could go to town with some of these. There’s a Candy Store Cake with cream cheese coconut frosting that sounds delicious, and a really cute Chocolate Spider Cake. The pink Rose Blossom Cake is really pretty, and I’m curious about how the yogurt sponge cake would taste. I think I could handle the decorations on this Daisy Cake… it’s a sour cream pound cake with buttercream frosting. I love buttercream frosting.

Why You’ll Want the Big Book of Baking

I’ve listed a lot of the recipes that I find delicious, and I wish I could show you pictures of all of these wonderful baked goods. The photos are beautiful. They make things look good that I would never even eat. You could use this as a coffee table book.

The instructions for the recipes are very easy to read. The print is large enough while reaching for ingredients in the cupboard or the fridge, and each recipe fits on single page – with plenty of white space so the text isn’t crowded.

Afraid of ruining this beautiful book in the kitchen with spilled flour, drippy egg yolks, or splashed vegetable oil? You can forego the hardcover version and grab either the eBook or app version instead. Then you can view the recipes on your wireless device or by printing them out so it doesn’t matter what gets spilled on the paper!

Disclosure: I received the Entenmann’s Big Book of Baking as an advanced review copy in exchange for this post. If you click on any of the links to buy it, I receive a small commission.

Christina Gleason (976 Posts)

That’s me: Christina Gleason. I’m a writer, editor, and disability advocate. I'm a multiply disabled autistic lady doing my best in this world built for abled people. I’m a geek for grammar, fantasy, and casual gaming. I hate vegetables. I cannot reliably speak, so I’ll happily conduct business over email or messaging instead.